Method and system for enabling at surface core orientation data transfer

ABSTRACT

A method (100) of enabling at surface orientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system (11) coupled with an inner core tube (12) to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample (14) held in the core tube, the core sample (14) having a longitudinal core axis (16) and a core face 18 accessible from an end of the inner core tube (14), involves three broad steps. A first step is to couple an instrument guide (20) to the end of the core tube (12) from which the core face (18) is accessible so that an axis (26) of the guide is parallel to the core axis (16). A second step is to generate correlation information between a rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument guide (20) or an instrument (28a) supported by the instrument guide (20) about the guide axis (26) and core orientation data known to the contactless orientation system (11). A third step is to use or otherwise operate the instrument (28a) to: act as the record carrier; or generate the record carrier provided with the correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample (14) to its in-situ orientation when released from the core tube (12).

TECHNICAL FIELD

A method and system are disclosed for enabling at surface coreorientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system.

BACKGROUND ART

Core sampling is employed to allow geological surveying of the groundfor the purposes of exploration and/or mining development. Analysis ofthe composition of the core sample provides information of thegeological structures and composition of the surrounding ground. Inorder to maximise the usefulness of this information it is necessary tohave knowledge of the orientation of the core sample relative to theground from which it is extracted.

Many types of core orientation systems are available for determining thein-situ orientation of the core. Back end core orientation systems, alsoknown as contactless core orientation systems, usually rely ongyroscopic, magnetic or gravitational sensors and devices fordetermining core orientation. These systems do not leave a physical markof orientation on the core sample at the time of recording the coreorientation or otherwise provide a permanent record of the coreorientation that is carried by or associated with the sample. Such aphysical mark or record is required by a geologist to enable them todetermine the orientation of the core sample. The process of making sucha core orientation record is performed at the surface, usually by theuse of marking guides and jigs which support an inner core tube togetherwith its corresponding backend or contactless orientation system. Thejig allows the operator to rotate the core sample about the core axis sothat at a pre-determined point (for example, bottom dead centre) isorientated to a known position (typically either the 180° position orthe 0° position). The operator then physically marks the core sample onthe core face, or the outer circumferential surface or both with apencil or scribe denoting the location at that point. Thus when ageologist views the core sample they are able to easily discern thein-situ rotational position of the core sample.

While a marking guide usually used to assist in accurately placing thephysical mark on the core sample, it has been found that there can be ahigh degree of inaccuracy in the data transfer. This is due primarilyto: difficulty in using the marking guide because of the irregular andrandom geometry of the core face; operator carelessness; or human error.If the only mark made on the core sample is a dot on the core face thereis also a risk of the underlying section of the core face being brokenoff when the core sample is released from the core tube and associatecore lifter assembly. A further deficiency is that once the mark hasbeen made and the core orientation system used for the next core run,the ability to audit the marking for accuracy is lost.

There is a need for a method and system for increasing accuracy andreliability of core orientation data transfer from a backend and/orother contactless core orientation system to a record carrier associatedwith the core sample.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect there is disclosed a method of enabling at surfaceorientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system coupledwith an inner core tube to one or more record carriers on or associatedwith a core sample held in the core tube, the core sample having alongitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of theinner core tube, the method comprising:

-   -   coupling an instrument guide having a guide axis to the end of        the core tube from which the core face is accessible wherein the        guide axis is parallel to the core axis;    -   generating correlation information between a rotational        orientation of a known point on the instrument guide or an        instrument supported by the instrument guide about the guide        axis with core orientation data known to the contactless        orientation system; and    -   using the instrument to: act as the record carrier; or generate        the record carrier provided with the correlation information        enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situ        orientation when released from the core tube.

In one embodiment generating correlation information comprisesreferencing the rotational position of the known point and the in-siturotational orientation known to the contactless orientation system to acommon reference point.

In one embodiment generating correlation information comprises operatingthe contactless orientation system to facilitate positioning of the coresample about the core axis so that the in situ orientation coincideswith the orientation of the common reference point.

In one embodiment generating correlation information comprisesrotationally aligning the known point with the common reference point.

In one embodiment operating the instrument comprises using theinstrument guide to move the instrument in a direction parallel to thecore axis to contact the core face wherein on contact with the core facethe instrument constitutes, or is capable of producing, a record carrierprovided with the transferred orientation data.

In one embodiment generating the correlation information compriseselectronically determining the rotational position of the known point.

In one embodiment generating the correlation information compriseselectronically transferring the orientation data from the coreorientation system to the instrument.

In a second aspect there is disclosed a method of enabling at surfaceorientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system coupledwith an inner core tube to one or more record carriers on or associatedwith a core sample held in the core tube, the core sample having alongitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of theinner core tube, the method comprising:

-   -   arranging an instrument guide which has opposite first and        second ends relative to the core sample so that the core face        lies between the first and second ends of the instrument guide,        and a guide axis, that runs through the first and second ends,        lies parallel to the core axis; and    -   using the instrument guide to move an instrument in a direction        parallel to the core axis to contact the core face wherein on        contact with the core face the instrument constitutes, or is        capable of producing, a record carrier of the orientation of the        core sample.

In one embodiment the method comprises prior to moving, generatingcorrelation information between a known point on the instrument guideabout the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactlesscore orientation system.

In one embodiment the method comprises operating the instrumentsupported in or by the instrument guide to: act as the record carrier;or generate the record carrier provided with, or otherwise havingtransferred to it, the correlation information enabling orientation ofthe core sample to its in-situ orientation when released from the coretube.

In one embodiment the method comprises generating correlation datacomprises rotationally aligning the known point with the coreorientation a common reference point about the core axis.

In one embodiment using the instrument guide comprises engaging theinstrument with the instrument guide and moving the instrument relativeto the core face and parallel to the core axis to cause contact betweenthe core face and the instrument.

In one embodiment of the first and second aspects moving the instrumentparallel to the core axis relative to the core face comprises either (a)moving the instrument along, through or within the instrument guiderelative to the core face to cause contact between the core face and theinstrument; or (b) moving the instrument guide relative to the core faceto cause contact between the core face and the instrument.

In one embodiment of the first and second aspects the method comprisesdemountably engaging the instrument with the instrument guide whereinafter contact with the core face the instruments can be removed from theinstrument guide.

In one embodiment the method comprises removing the instrument from theinstrument guide after contact with the core face.

In one embodiment of the first and second aspects the method comprisesrecording on or in the instrument, header data relating to the coresample.

In one embodiment the method comprises manually recording the headerdata on the instrument.

In one embodiment the method comprises wireless transferring header datafor recording in the instrument or on the record carrier.

In one embodiment of the first and second aspects the method compriseselectronically recording in or on the record carrier audit data relatingto the core sample.

In one embodiment the method comprises electronically recording in or onthe record carrier, header data and audit data relating to the coresample.

In one embodiment recording audit data comprise recording one more of:(a) the time of day when the instrument was moved in a directionparallel to the core axis to contact the core face; (b) the date ofmoving the instrument in a direction parallel to the core axis tocontact the core face; (c) the geographic location of the core sample inrelation to which the method is performed; (d) a degree and direction ofrotation of the instrument guide relative to the core tube about thecore axis during the referencing of the rotational positions of thepoints and moving of the parallel to the core axis to cause contactbetween the core face and the instrument; (e) tool face of the coresample.

In one embodiment of the first and second aspects the method comprisesarranging the instrument to record data pertaining to the profile of thecore face.

In one embodiment of the first and second aspects the record carriercomprises an electronic image captured by the instrument of the coreface and wherein the known point is visually represented on the image.

In one embodiment the record carrier further comprises electronic datapertaining to the rotational orientation of the known point.

In one embodiment the instrument comprises a plastically deformable pador a plurality of linearly translatable pins which on contact with thecore face are capable of recording data pertaining to the profile of thecore face.

In one embodiment of either aspect the method comprises providing theinstrument with an electronic memory device capable of storing orprocessing data communicated by the contactless orientation system.

In a third aspect there is disclosed a system for enabling at surfaceorientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system coupledwith an inner core tube to one or more record carriers associated with acore sample held in the core tube, the core sample having a longitudinalcore axis and a core face visible from an end of the inner core tube,the system comprising:

-   -   an instrument guide having opposite first and second ends that        lie on a common guide axis, the instrument guide configured so        that when the first end is engaged with the core tube the core        face lies between the first and second ends of the instrument        guide; and    -   an instrument demountable coupled with the instrument guide in a        manner wherein the instrument guide facilitates motion of the        instrument in a direction parallel to the core axis to a        location where the instrument contact the core face.

In one embodiment the instrument and the instrument guide are providedwith respective coupling parts that enable demountable coupling of theinstrument to the instrument guide in known rotational juxtapositionabout the guide axis.

In one embodiment the instrument comprises one or both of: (a) a coreface profile recording system; and (b) a scribe or marker capable ofplacing a mark on the core face.

In one embodiment the core face profile recording system compriseseither (a) a plurality of axially displaceable pins or (b) a pad ofplasticised material capable of taking an imprint of the core face.

In one embodiment the instrument comprises a surface on which headerdata can be manually transcribed.

In one embodiment the method comprises a rotation sensing device capableof detecting rotation of the instrument guide about the guide axis.

In one embodiment the instrument comprises an electronic memory devicecapable of recording one or both of (a) header data, and (b) audit datarelating to the core sample.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method of at surface wirelesscore orientation data transfer from a contactless orientation systemcoupled with an inner core tube to an electronically recordable fileassociated with a core sample held in the core tube, the core samplehaving a longitudinal core axis and a core face visible from an end ofthe inner core tube, the method comprising:

-   -   positioning an image plane of an image capture device to lie        substantially perpendicular to the core axis and at a location        to enable the image capture device to capture an image of the        core face;    -   generating correlation information between a rotational position        about the core axis of a known point on the image plane with a        rotational point in space about the core axis known to the        contactless orientation system and being representative of an in        situ rotational orientation of the core sample; and    -   producing an electronically recordable file comprising at least        the captured image and the rotational position reference data        associated with the core sample.

In one embodiment generating the rotational position reference datacomprises wirelessly communicating the rotational position of the pointon the core sample about the core axis having a position known to thecontactless orientation system rotational position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of themethod and system as sets forth in the Summary, specific embodimentswill now be described, by way of example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for enabling at surfacecore orientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system toone or more record carriers;

FIG. 2 is a further representation of the embodiment of the system shownin FIG. 1 disposed near a core sample held within a core tube andshowing an instrument guide of the system in an assembled but with anassociated instrument and record carrier separate from the instrumentguide;

FIG. 3 is a representation of the instrument/record carrier shown inFIG. 2 mounted within the instrument guide;

FIG. 4 illustrates the system in use mounted on an end of a core tube;

FIG. 5 shows the instrument/record carrier of FIGS. 1-3 when in contactwith the core face of a core sample;

FIG. 6 is a representation of a second embodiment of the system 10 inwhich the instrument/record carrier shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5 is replacedwith a simpler instrument in the form of a pencil which is able to marka core face so that the core face itself becomes a record carrier;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the disclosedmethod of enabling the transfer of core orientation data;

FIGS. 8a-8d schematically represent a method of referencing therotational position about the core axis of a known point on the recordcarrier to a core orientation position measured or otherwise determinedby a contactless core orientation system;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of thedisclosed system; and

FIG. 10 schematically represents a further embodiment of the disclosedmethod in which a record of the orientation of the core sample isrecorded without any physical contact between an instrument creating therecord and the core sample.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of a system 10 for enabling atsurface core orientation data transfer from a contactless coreorientation system 11 coupled with a core tube 12. A core sample 14 iscaptured in the core tube 12. The core sample 14 has a longitudinal coreaxis 16 and an exposed core face 18. The core orientation system may becoupled to or otherwise housed in an up-hole end of a core tube 12. Thespecific nature of the core orientation system 11 is not material to thedisclosed system and method. However one commercially available exampleof a contactless core orientation system is the REFLEX ACT IIIorientation system (see for example http://reflexnow.com/act-III/).

This embodiment of the system 10 comprises an instrument guide 20 havinga first end 22 and an opposite end 24 that are or can be arranged to lieon a common guide axis 26. The guide axis 26 is parallel to the coreaxis 16. The instrument guide 20 is configured so that when the firstend 22 is coupled or otherwise engaged with the core tube 12, the coreface 18 lies between the first and second end 22 and 24. This is shownfor example in present FIG. 4.

The system 10 also includes an instrument 28 a (FIGS. 1-5) that iscoupled with the instrument guide 20. The instrument 28 a is supportedor coupled in a manner wherein the instrument guide 20 holds theinstrument 28 a in alignment with the core axis. In some but not all ofthe embodiments the guide 20 facilitates motion of the instrument 28 ain a direction parallel to the core axis 16 to a location where theinstrument 28 a contacts the core surface 18.

Individual components and parts of the system 10 will now be describedin greater detail.

The instrument guide 20 is composed of a first sleeve 30 and a secondsleeve 32. The sleeves 30 and 32 are releasably connectable together. Inthis example this is by way of complementary screw threads 34 a and 34b. The first sleeve 30 is formed with an inner diameter which isslightly larger than the outer diameter of the core tube 12. Thisenables the instrument guide 20 to engage the core tube 12 with minimalradial play. A number of viewing ports 36 are formed in the sleeve 30near an end at which the sleeve 30 couples to the sleeve 32. Sleeve 32houses the instrument 28 a. The instrument 28 a is keyed to the sleeve32 so that it has a known rotational orientation with reference to oneor more known reference point P1, P2 . . . Pn (hereinafter referee to ingeneral as known point(s) P), of the system. This is achieved by way ofengagement of the instrument 28 a with mounting pin 38 provided with thesleeve 32. The instrument 28 and the mounting pin 38 are arranged sothat the instrument 28 a can lock into the sleeve 32 on the mounting pin38 in only one specific and known orientation about the guide axis 26.

The system 10 has a rotational position sensor 40, in this example aspirit level 41, to provide an operator with information relating to therotational position of the known point(s) P of the system 10 about theguide axis 26.The point P maybe one of a plurality of known points P1,P2 etc. Further the one or more points P may be either on or referableto the guide 20 or the instrument 28 a supported by the guide.

In this instance the sensor 40 is attached to the instrument guide 20near the end 24 of the sleeve 32. The system 10 is also provided with anaxial passage 42 which is parallel with the axis 26. The passage 42opens onto the end 24. The passage 42 is provided to enable receipt of asecond or alternative instrument 28 b in the form of a china pencil (seeFIG. 6).

The instrument 28 a has a core face profile recording system 44 whichcomprises a set of pins 46 and a marker in the form of a pencil 48. Thepins 46 are frictionally retained within a body 50 of the instrument 28a and are able to slide lineally in a direction parallel to the guideaxis 26. An outer surface 52 of the body 50 is provided with a compassor bearing scale 54 (see FIG. 5).

One such point P1 may be the rotational position of the marker 48 of theinstrument 28 a about the guide axis 26. An alternate or additionalpoint P2 may be the rotational position of the axis of the passage 42about position of the guide axis 26. In this particular embodiment bothof these points P1 and P2 lie on the same radius of the guide axis 26.That is, the points P1 and P2 have the same rotational position aboutthe guide axis 26.

The instrument 28 a also includes a demountable cap 56 (see FIG. 2) thatcan be mounted on the end of the body 50 from which the pins 46protrude. The cap 56 when fitted protects the pins 46 from beingaccidentally displaced in the axial direction.

The cap 56 is also provided with a surface 58 which can be manuallymarked for example by an indelible marker with header data relating tothe core sample. Header data may include: identification data (e.g. ahole number) of the hole from which the core sample 18 is obtained; thedriller ID; and the depth of hole at which the sample was extracted.Further details of the instrument 28 a may be obtained from USpublication number 2010/0230165 the contents of which is incorporatedherein by way of reference.

A method 100 of using the above described embodiment of the system 10for enabling at surface core orientation data transfer will now bedescribed.

FIG. 7 shows in a very broad sense an embodiment of the disclosed method100 for enabling at surface core orientation data transfer from acontactless orientation system 11 coupled with inner core tube 12 to oneor more record carriers. In the present embodiment the instrument 28 aconstitutes a record carrier. However the core sample 14 may alsoconstitute a record carrier. (In other embodiments to be described laterthe record carrier may comprise an electronic memory storage devicewhich is attached to the instrument 28, or may be constituted byelectronically storable data such as an electronic image.)

This embodiment of the method 100 can be considered as involving threebroad steps namely:

-   -   Step 102: coupling the instrument guide 20 to the end of the        core tube 12 from which the core face 18 is accessible so that        the guide axis 26 is parallel to the core axis 16;        -   Step 104: generating correlation information between a            rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument            guide 20 or an instrument 28 a supported by the instrument            guide 20 about the guide axis 26 and core orientation data            known to the contactless orientation system; and    -   Step 106: using or otherwise operating the instrument 28 a to:        act as the record carrier; or generate the record carrier        provided with the correlation information enabling orientation        of the core sample 14 to its in-situ orientation when released        from the core tube 12.

As described below the generation of the correlation information betweenthe positions of the known point P and the core orientation data may bevia a common reference point A.

With reference to the presently described embodiment of the system 10,the step 102 of coupling the instrument guide 20 to the end of the coretube 12 is achieved by mounting or otherwise arranging the instrumentguide 20 relative to the core sample 14 so that the core face 18 liesbetween the first and second end 22 and 24 of the instrument guide 20.The end 22 of the guide 20 is simply slid onto and over the core sample14 and the adjacent portion of the inner core tube 12. This arrangementis shown specifically in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 8a-8d are referred to assist in describing steps 104 and 102 ofthe present embodiment of the method 100. It is assumed that thecontactless orientation system 11 was previously operated to log coreorientation data being the in situ rotational position of a specificpoint on the core about the core axis 16 immediately prior to the corebreaking operation relative to a known reference. The known referencemay be, but not is limited to, for example:

-   -   the gravitational bottom of the hole, this is particularly        suitable for inclined holes;    -   magnetic north; or    -   True north.

When retrieving the core sample 14 from a drill string and subsequentlyplacing the corresponding core tube 12 on a core table or jig therelative rotational position of the contactless core orientation system11 and the core sample 14 have not changed. Also the contactless coreorientation system 11 by its very nature is able to detect the knownreference when at the surface or in the hole.

In this embodiment we will assume that the contactless orientationsystem 11 logs orientation data of the a point on the core 14 relativeto bottom dead centre of the bore hole rather than magnetic north ortrue north.

FIG. 8a shows the gravitational bottom of hole location BH in an angledborehole of the core sample 14 when retrieved from the bore hole andlying horizontally on a core table or jig. In FIG. 8a the core face 18is front on, the core sample 14 is still in the core tube 12 and thesystem 11 is attached to the back end of the core tube. There has beenno relative rotation between the system 11 and the core sample 14. PointBH shows the location of the bottom of the hole of the core 14 as loggedby the system 11 immediately prior to the core breaking operation. PointA is a common reference point and in this example corresponds with thelocation of the bottom of the core sample 14 when at the surface on acore tray. Neither point A nor point BH is physically marked on the coresample 14.

The guide 20 is not coupled to the core tube 12 at this time. The insitu gravitational bottom of hole location BH of the core sample 14,while known to the contactless core orientation system 11 is at a randomrotational position about the axis 16. In the present example the pointBH is at a bearing of about 300° (or −60°) about the axis 16.

FIG. 8b shows a first step in the correlating the position BH with theposition of the know point P. This may also be considered as referencingthe core orientation data with or to the known location P. This stepinvolves rotating the core tube 12 and thus the core sample 14 until thepoint BH is at a known location in this instance the common referencepoint A which is at a bearing of 180°. Because the contactlessorientation system 11 knows the location BH, and knows its own locationin space, the contactless orientation system 11 can now be operated onthe surface to provide feedback to an operator to inform them when thepoint BH is at the 180° bearing coinciding with point A. This feedbackmay be by way of audible and/or visual signals emitted by thecontactless orientation system 11 or by a handheld or otherwise portableinstrument 11 which communicates with the contactless orientationsystem.

FIG. 8c represents the rotational position of the guide 20 on initialmounting on the core tube 12. Now the respective axes 16 and 26 arecollinear. Indeed the axes 16 and 26 will be substantially coaxial. Themarker 48 which represents a known point P1 on the instrument 28 a isinitially randomly located about axis 26 when the guide 20 is mounted onthe core tube 12. In this example point P1/marker 48 is shown at abearing of about 110° about the guide axis 26.

An operator will now rotate the instrument 20 relative to the core tube16 to level the position of the bubble in the spirit level 40. Duringthis process the core sample 14 and core 12 remain rotationallystationary. This will result in the marker 48 being rotated to coincidewith the common reference point A at the 180° bearing location. This isalso the current physical rotational location position of the point BH.The relative positions of the core sample 12 and the instrument guide20/instrument 28 a upon completion of this process is shown in FIG. 8 d.

Therefore by the above process the location of point P/marker 48 hasbeen correlated with or referenced to the in situ rotational position BHof the core sample. This process has generated correlation data beingthat the known point P now has the same rotational position about theaxes 16, 26 as the point BH. (In another example shown later thecorrelation data is that the known point P is at a known rotationaloffset from the point BH.)

The instrument 28 a is now operated (in this case by using the guide 20to slide the instrument 28 a into contact with the face 18), to generatethe record carrier provided with the correlation information. Indeed inthis example two record carriers are generated. One record carrier 20 isthe core 14 while a second independent record carrier is the instrument28 a.

Specifically operating instrument 28 a in this example involves anoperator using the guide 20 to move the instrument 28 a into contactwith the face 18. This will result in a linear translation of the pins46 in accordance with the profile of the face 18 as well as the marker48 placing a physical mark TD on the core face 14. This is exemplifiedin FIGS. 4d and 5.

The core face 18 bearing the mark TD now constitutes a first recordcarrier of the in situ orientation data of the core sample 14. The markTD is or otherwise constitutes the transferred orientation data from thecontactless orientation system 11 to the record carrier. Thus the pointTD is indicative of the orientation of the known point P and correspondsto or has a known relationship with the in situ orientation of the coresample 14. In this specific embodiment the rotational position of themark TD is the same as the orientation of the known point P. However inother embodiments transferred orientation data TD is not a physical markon the core sample 14 but rather electronically storable data whichprovides an indication of the in situ orientation of the core sample 14.

The instrument 28 a, by virtue of the pins 46 and either the pencil 48or the hole in which the pencil 48 is held, forms or acts as anotherindependent record carrier bearing correlation information enablingorientation of the core sample 14 to its in situ orientation whenreleased from the core tube 12. By keeping the instrument 28 a with thecore sample 14 a geologist can always properly orientate the core sample14 by matching the profile of the face 18 with the profile of the pins46 and then rotating/rolling the instrument 28 a with the core sample 14in a horizontal plane so that the location pencil 48 is a bearing of180°. When at the 180° bearing the geologist knows that the lowermostpoint of the core 14 corresponds with the point BH recorded by thesystem 11. Therefore even if the mark TD on the core face 18 has beenlost the core sample 14 can still be placed in its in situ orientation.

The instrument 28 a can be removed from the guide 20 by decoupling thesleeves 22 and 24 from each other and pulling the instrument 28 a off ofits mounting key 38. The cap 56 may then be attached to the body 50 toprotect the pins 46 form accidental displacement. Header data can bemanually written onto the surface 58 of the cap 56. The instrument 28 ais retained with the core sample 12. Thus a new instrument 28 a isrequired for each orientation data transfer.

The above position procedure for generating the correlation informationor otherwise referencing the in situ core orientation for known point Pof the system 10 could also be used for vertical boreholes that do nothave a gravitational bottom of hole reference position. This requiresthe use of a contactless orientation system that relies on magneticnorth or true north as the known (detectable) reference point.

Lower Cost Embodiment

In this variation, depicted in FIG. 6, the system 10 uses the instrument28 b rather than the instrument 28 a. The instrument 28 a is aconsumable single use item whereas the instrument 28 b is used tocorrelate the known point P with the in situ core orientation to effecttransfer of the orientation data onto the core face 18 of many coresamples 14. Specifically the instrument 28 b solely comprises a longerversion of the pencil 48 of the instrument 28 a. The rotationallyreferencing method is identical to that described above.

In brief

-   -   the core sample 12 is rotated until the system 11 indicates that        the bottom of hole location BH is at the 180° bearing location    -   the guide 20 is fitted onto the core tube 12 and rotated        relative to the core tube 12 about the axis 26 until the axis of        the passage 42 is also at the 180° bearing location as indicated        by the spirit level/sensor 40.    -   The instrument/pencil 28 b is inserted into the passage 42 and        pushed into contact with the core face 18 leaving a        gravitational bottom of hole, true or magnetic north core        orientation mark P on the core face 18 in a manner identical to        that described above in relation to the instrument/pencil 28 b.        Therefore instead of the guide 20 being physically moved in        order to achieve contact, the instrument 28 b is moved being        guided by the passage 42 of the guide 20. The only record        carrier in this instance is the core face 18/core 14 itself.        There is no separate record carrier as described in the first        embodiment.

Electronic Memory Embodiment

In a further variation, the instrument 28 a may be provided with anelectronic memory device 74 (shown schematically in FIG. 9) enabling theelectric recording of one or both of header data and audit data. Theelectronic memory device can be in the form of for example of an RFIDchip. This may be embedded in the body 50 of the instrument 28 a. Headerand/or audit data can be transferred automatically from the contactlessorientation system 11 to the electronic memory device. The audit datamay include for example but is not limited to:

-   -   (a) The time and date of moving the instrument 28 a in a        direction parallel to the core axis 16 to contact the core face        18.    -   (b) The geographical location at which the present method is        performed. This may be the way of use of GPS data sourced from        the contactless orientation system or indeed from a GPS system        also embedded within the guide 20 or the instrument 28 a.    -   (c) A degree and direction of rotation of the instrument guide        20 relative to the core tube 12 about the core axis 16 and/or        the actual true core orientation position in the time period        when the guide system 10 is being used to move the instrument 28        relative to the core face 14 to cause contact between the core        face and the instrument.    -   (d) Tool face of the core sample 14.

In order to enable recording of data (c) above, embodiments of thesystem 10 may also be provided with one or more accelerometers to detectrotational motion about the axis 26. Ideally such GPS and other digital,magnetic or gyroscopic devices will be placed in the guide 20 ratherthan the instrument 28 a to reduce the overall cost of the consumableproduct namely, the instrument 28 a.

The instrument 28 a in this embodiment is used in exactly the samemanner as described above in relation to the first embodiment of theadditional step of electronically transferring information from one, orany combination, of: the system 11; the GPS and other digital, magneticor gyroscopic device in the guide 20; or other instrument such as smartphone. For example the smart phone may be used to enter some or all ofthe audit data into the electronic memory.

Electronic Generation of Correlation Information (or Rotational PositionReferencing) Embodiment

FIG. 9 also provides a schematic representation of an embodiment of thesystem 10′ which enables electronic generation of correlationinformation enabling the rotational referencing of point P relative topoint BH. In this embodiment the rotational position sensor 40 is in theform of an electronic rotational orientation system 41′ rather than thespirit level described in relation to the first embodiment. Thecontactless core orientation system 11 is connected to the back end ofthe core tube 12. In this variation by virtue of the system 41′ thesystem 10′/guide 20 will know or be able to determine by itself therotational position of point P about the guide axis 26. Thus the bearingof the point BH about axis 16 is known to, or measurable by, thecontactless core orientation system 11 and the bearing of the point thepoint P is known to, or measurable by, the system 41′. Therefore bycommunication between the contactless orientation system 11 and therotational position sensor 40 and the use of a basic processor thelocation of point BH relative to point P can be determined i.e.correlation information can be generated enabling the orientation of thecore sample 14 to its in situ orientation when released from the coretube 12. This may be stored on an electronic memory (such a RFID chipdescribed above) on or in the instrument 28 a.

The method 100 of referencing the position of point BH to the point Pand the subsequent creation of the record carrier bearing the point P isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 10.

The method 100 entails, once the core sample 14 and core tube 12 areplaced on a core table or rack, with point A representing the lowestrotational position of the core sample 14 on the table, i.e. the 180°bearing position:

-   -   operating the system 11 to log the position A and therefore        determine the rotational offset (e.g. α°=125°)of the point BH to        the point A (it should be understood that point A is not marked        on the core sample 14);    -   operate the system 41′ to determine the rotational position of        point P relative to the point A, (e.g. β°=260°, the rotational        position of point P being coincident with a known point on the        guide 20 such as the axis of passage 42, or the rotational        orientation of the instrument 28 a held within the guide 20, at        this time the point TD has not been marked on the core sample        14);    -   transfer the offset α° to the system 41′, or transfer the offset        β° to the system 11;    -   using a processor in either the system 11, or in the system 41′,        to calculate the rotational offset (θ+=β°−α°=135°) between the        points BH and P;    -   transfer the offset θ° to the electronic memory.

The guide 20 can now be used to cause contact between the instrument 28a and the core face 14 thereby physically marking the core face 14 withthe point TD. Alternately one can first affect the contact between thecore face 18 and the instrument 28 a to mark the core face 18 with themark TD and at that time, before separation, electronically referencethe location of point P to the point BH. This then removes thepossibility of an error being generated by unintended rotation of theguide 20 when performing the contact. It should be noted that in thisembodiment there is no need to rotate the guide 20 in order that thepoint P rotationally coincides with the point A. This is because theoffset θ° is now known and recorded. Thus a geologist by accessing adatabase associated with the core sample 14 knows of the physical pointP is offset by θ° degrees from the reference point (in this casegravitational bottom of the hole). The geologist now rotates the coresample 14 about a horizontal axis so that the point P is in therotational offset position, at which time the core sample 14 will be inits in situ orientation at the time of the core breaking operation.

This embodiment of system 10′ requires that the contactless orientationsystem 11 and the system 41′ are able to communicate to each other thebearing of their respective points BH and P. Either one of the systems11 or 41′ can then determine the position of point P relative to thegravitational bottom of hole, magnetic or true north directionallocation BH. This is communicated to an electronic memory 74 in or onthe instrument 28 a either by the system 11 or the system 72.

Providing WiFi capability in either the system 11, system 41′ or indeedthe memory 74 also enables header and/or audit data inclusive of courseof core orientation data to be automatically uploaded to a centraliseddata management system or hub. This then enables a geologist to simplyaccess the database and view the information stored in relation to anyparticular core sample to enable access to auditable data pertaining tothe orientation of the core sample.

Contactless Orientation Data Transfer Embodiment

In an extension or refinement of the system 10′ shown in FIG. 9, it isfurther possible to do away completely with the need for any instrumentto physically contact the core sample 14/core face 18. Rather, theinstrument generating the record carrier can be an image capture devicelocatable within or supported by the guide 20 to obtain an image of acore face 18. When the guide 20 is arranged on the core tube 12 with thecore face 16 intermediate the ends 20 and 24 an image plane of the imagecapture device will be square on (i.e. perpendicular to) the core axis16. Now the image capture device can be used to capture an image of thecore face 18. The image may be a photographic image, a stereoscopicimage, or indeed an acoustic, radar, gamma, XRAY Fluorescent (XRF) orother type image, or a combination of two or more of such images.

The image capture device is arranged so that the point P can bedesignated at a specific pixel on an image of the core face 18. Thispixel appears in a known manner for, example a cross, on the image. Theimage capture device (i.e. the instrument) may itself have an inbuiltorientation system which knows and stores information relating to theorientation of the point P about a known reference such as the 180°bearing about a horizontal axis, true North or magnetic north.Alternately the instrument guide 20 supporting instrument 28 a may havean electronic rotational orientation system 41′ as described above whichcan communicate orientation information to the image capture device.

Since the instrument 11 knows the in situ orientation data thecorrelation information relating the rotational position of this point Pwith or to point BH can be generated as described above in relation tothe embodiment in FIG. 9. Further, all of the header and other auditdata can also be uploaded to the database or hub. Now when a geologistwishes to analyse this data, they will access, either online or by aseparate electronic data carrier, an image of the core face with themarked point P together with the header and audit data. The geologistcan then compare the image with the core sample at hand and rotate thecore sample to its rotational position about its axis 16 at the time ofcore break. Thus in this embodiment the record carrier is electronicimage data enabling display of an image of the core face together withthe location of the point P and the correlation information relating thelocation of point P to the in situ core orientation. Thus a geologistcan access a database pertaining to the core sample in question, accessand display the image of the core sample locate including the point P onthe image, view the core face 18 to locate the corresponding point onthe core face then using the stored correlation information determinethe in-situ orientation of the core sample 14. For example thecorrelation information may be that the point P on the display is bottomdead centre.

Whilst a number of specific method and system embodiments have beendescribed, it should be appreciated that the method and system may beembodied in many other forms.

For example, the record carrier incorporated in the system 10 shown inFIGS. 1-3 comprises a plurality of pins 46 which provide profile pointsof the core face 18. However the profile may be recorded by use of aplasticised material which takes an imprint of the core face 18 oncontact. Also while the instrument guide 20 is depicted as being in theform of a tube provided with a number of circular viewing ports,different configurations are possible. For example, the instrument guidecould be provided with a plurality of elongated slots that extendaxially between the ends 22 and 24. Further, the instrument guide 20 maybe of a different shape such as triangular or be provided with flatbottom surface that provides a horizontal positional reference ratherthan use of a spirit level. Additionally when the instrument 28 a isused, the system 10 may be provided with a carriage on which theinstrument 28 a is supported and a lever or other actuator that can bemanipulated by an operator to move the carriage linearly along or withinthe guide 20 to contact the core face 18. Also a core release systemsuch as described in Applicant's co-pending Australian application no.2015904439 (the contents of which is incorporated herein by way ofreference) may be incorporated into the system 10 to assist in releasingthe core sample 14 after the transfer of the orientation data. While thecontactless core orientation system has been described as providing atleast core orientation data (i.e. azimuth or bearing) it may alsoprovide other information such as hole inclination which can betransferred particularly for embodiments of the disclosed system andmethod that incorporate electronic data storage.

In yet a further variation a camera may be provided in the instrument 28a described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 at a location to facilitateimage capture of the core face 18. The camera can be operated either (a)prior to contact with the core face; (b) both before and at contact withthe face; or (c) continuously from before, to the time of contact withthe core face. Operating the camera as per (b) or (c) provides analternative or additional method of detecting rotation of the instrument28 a while being moved into contact with the core face, thus enhancingaccuracy and auditability of the core orientation transfer. In a furthervariation the camera may be demountably connected to the instrument 28 ato enable it to be reused for every orientation transfer operationrather than once off with a permanently associated instrument 28 a. Analternate arrangement to enable reuse of the camera is to mount thecamera in the guide 20, and configure the instrument 28 a so that thecamera is able to view the core face 18 while the instrument is attachedto the guide 20. For example the camera may be in the mounting pin 38(see FIG. 1) and the instrument 28 a provided with a coaxial windowthrough which the camera views the core face 18. Data captured by thecamera may be used in the same way as described above under the heading“Contactless Orientation Data Transfer Embodiment”.

In the claims which follow, and in the preceding description, exceptwhere the context requires otherwise due to express language ornecessary implication, the word “comprise” and variations such as“comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. tospecify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of thesystem and method as disclosed herein.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A method of enabling at surface orientation datatransfer from a contactless orientation system coupled with an innercore tube to one or more record carriers on or associated with a coresample held in the core tube, the core sample having a longitudinal coreaxis and a core face accessible from an end of the inner core tube, themethod comprising: arranging an instrument guide which has oppositefirst and second ends relative to the core sample so that the core facelies between the first and second ends of the instrument guide, and aguide axis, that runs through the first and second ends, lies parallelto the core axis; and using the instrument guide to move an instrumentin a direction parallel to the core axis to contact the core facewherein on contact with the core face the instrument constitutes, or iscapable of producing, a record carrier of the orientation of the coresample.
 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising prior tomoving, generating correlation information between a known point on theinstrument guide, or an interment supported by the instrument guide,about the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactlesscore orientation system.
 10. The method according to claim 9, furthercomprising operating the instrument supported in or by the instrumentguide to: act as the record carrier; or generate the record carrierprovided with, or otherwise having transferred to it, the correlationinformation enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situorientation when released from the core tube.
 11. (canceled)
 12. Themethod according to claim 8, wherein using the instrument guidecomprises engaging the instrument with the instrument guide and movingthe instrument relative to the core face and parallel to the core axisto cause contact between the core face and the instrument.
 13. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein moving the instrument parallel tothe core axis relative to the core face comprises either (a) moving theinstrument along, through or within the instrument guide relative to thecore face to cause contact between the core face and the instrument; or(b) moving the instrument guide relative to the core face to causecontact between the core face and the instrument.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising demountably engaging theinstrument with the instrument guide, wherein after contact with thecore face the instruments can be removed from the instrument guide.15-24. (canceled)
 25. The method according to claim 8, wherein theinstrument comprises a plastically deformable pad or a plurality oflinearly translatable pins which on contact with the core face arecapable of recording data pertaining to the profile of the core face.26. (canceled)
 27. A system for enabling at surface orientation datatransfer from a contactless orientation system coupled with an innercore tube to one or more record carriers associated with a core sampleheld in the core tube, the core sample having a longitudinal core axisand a core face visible from an end of the inner core tube, the systemcomprising: an instrument guide having opposite first and second endsthat lie on a common guide axis, the instrument guide configured so thatwhen the first end is engaged with the core tube the core face liesbetween the first and second ends of the instrument guide; and aninstrument demountable coupled with the instrument guide in a mannerwherein the instrument guide facilitates motion of the instrument in adirection parallel to the core axis to a location where the instrumentcontacts the core face.
 28. The system according to claim 27, whereinthe instrument and the instrument guide are provided with respectivecoupling parts that enable demountable coupling of the instrument to theinstrument guide in known rotational juxtaposition about the guide axis.29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the instrument comprisesone or both of: (a) a core face profile recording system; and (b) ascribe or marker capable of placing a mark on the core face.
 30. Thesystem according to claim 29, wherein the core face profile recordingsystem comprises either (a) a plurality of axially displaceable pins or(b) a pad of plasticised material capable of taking an imprint of thecore face.
 31. The system according to claim 29, wherein the instrumentcomprises a surface on which header data can be manually transcribed.32. The system according to claim 27, further comprising a rotationsensing device capable of detecting rotation of the instrument guideabout the guide axis.
 33. (canceled)
 34. A method of at surface wirelesscore orientation data transfer from a contactless orientation systemcoupled with an inner core tube to an electronically recordable fileassociated with a core sample held in the core tube, the core samplehaving a longitudinal core axis and a core face visible from an end ofthe inner core tube, the method comprising: when the inner core tube isat the surface positioning an image plane of an image capture device tolie substantially perpendicular to the core axis and at a location toenable the image capture device to capture an image of the core face;generating correlation information between a rotational position aboutthe core axis of a known point on the image plane with a rotationalpoint in space about the core axis known to the contactless orientationsystem and being representative of an in situ rotational orientation ofthe core sample; and producing an electronically recordable filecomprising at least the captured image and the rotational positionreference data associated with the core sample.
 35. (canceled)
 36. Themethod according to claim 8, wherein arranging an instrument guidecomprises, when the inner core tube is at the surface, coupling theinstrument guide to the end of the core tube from which the core face isaccessible and opposite the contactless orientation system, and whereinthe method further comprises, when the inner core tube is at thesurface, generating correlation information between a rotationalorientation of a known point on the instrument guide or an instrumentsupported by the instrument guide about the guide axis with coreorientation data known to the contactless orientation system.
 37. Themethod according to claim 36, wherein generating correlation informationcomprises referencing the rotational position of the known point and thein-situ rotational orientation known to the contactless orientationsystem to a common reference point.
 38. The method according to claim37, wherein generating correlation information comprises operating thecontactless orientation system to facilitate positioning of the coresample about the core axis so that the in situ orientation coincideswith the orientation of the common reference point.
 39. The methodaccording to claim 37, wherein generating correlation informationcomprises rotationally aligning the known point with the commonreference point.
 40. The method according to claim 39, wherein operatingthe instrument comprises using the instrument guide to move theinstrument in a direction parallel to the core axis to contact the coreface wherein on contact with the core face the instrument constitutes,or is capable of producing, a record carrier provided with thetransferred orientation data.
 41. The method according to claim 36,wherein generating correlation information comprises electronicallydetermining the rotational position of the known point.